Co-created integrated e-health interventions for non-communicable diseases and sexual and reproductive health services for young people in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review
1
Burden of Disease Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
2
Health Systems Research Unit, South Africa Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
3
The George Institute, Sydney, Australia
4
Department of Health Sciences Ålesund, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1827
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) among both young people is rising and intersect with Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) challenges, exacerbating long term health risks. The purpose of this systematic review was to map out existing evidence on interventions integrating NCDs and SRH services to identify any co-created e-health based interventions that are implemented and evaluated in the low- and middle- income countries (LMICs) context. It is critical to explore evidence available on integrated NCD and SRH interventions, including those comprising e-health technologies to address the gaps in NCDs and SRH service coverage.
METHODS:
This review employed a structured systematic review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, including journal articles published between 2007 and 2025. Two authors independently screened full-text articles for inclusion using a standardised eligibility form. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO: PROSPERO 2025 (CRD420251185488).
RESULTS:
Of 103 articles identified, 27 were included. Integrated e-health interventions in LMIC remain limited, with only half of WHO digital health utilised, indicating a significant innovation gap. Findings were grouped into NCD, SRH, and co-created e-health interventions. Youth are underrepresented in NCD interventions, which also face sustainability challenges. C0-created SRH interventions with youth show promise but are rarely integrated with NCDs. Behavioural outcomes improved more consistently than clinical outcomes. Most interventions relied on basic platforms (Telemedicine, zoom, WhatsApp, SMS), with high data costs limiting scalability, sustainability and governance)
CONCLUSIONS:
Integrated interventions applying e-health technologies for young people are limited in LMICs, especially those co-created with youth and/or community. Yet, these interventions are essential to expand access to health services and provide quality NCD and SRH information and services to create awareness and promote healthy behaviors that reduce the risks for NCD and promote uptake of SRH services.
The burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) among both young people is rising and intersect with Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) challenges, exacerbating long term health risks. The purpose of this systematic review was to map out existing evidence on interventions integrating NCDs and SRH services to identify any co-created e-health based interventions that are implemented and evaluated in the low- and middle- income countries (LMICs) context. It is critical to explore evidence available on integrated NCD and SRH interventions, including those comprising e-health technologies to address the gaps in NCDs and SRH service coverage.
METHODS:
This review employed a structured systematic review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, including journal articles published between 2007 and 2025. Two authors independently screened full-text articles for inclusion using a standardised eligibility form. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO: PROSPERO 2025 (CRD420251185488).
RESULTS:
Of 103 articles identified, 27 were included. Integrated e-health interventions in LMIC remain limited, with only half of WHO digital health utilised, indicating a significant innovation gap. Findings were grouped into NCD, SRH, and co-created e-health interventions. Youth are underrepresented in NCD interventions, which also face sustainability challenges. C0-created SRH interventions with youth show promise but are rarely integrated with NCDs. Behavioural outcomes improved more consistently than clinical outcomes. Most interventions relied on basic platforms (Telemedicine, zoom, WhatsApp, SMS), with high data costs limiting scalability, sustainability and governance)
CONCLUSIONS:
Integrated interventions applying e-health technologies for young people are limited in LMICs, especially those co-created with youth and/or community. Yet, these interventions are essential to expand access to health services and provide quality NCD and SRH information and services to create awareness and promote healthy behaviors that reduce the risks for NCD and promote uptake of SRH services.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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